Up close with the overpriced but cool Richard Mille RM035

A couple of months ago I was loaned the Richard Mille RM035 Rafael Nadal Chronofiable for a review that was published in The Peak magazine. As I wrote in the review, the RM035 is far, far from haute horlogerie. After all in the realm of Richard Mille, price is inverse to weight. The quality of finishing and watchmaking is inadequate for the price. Mechanically I struggle to see anything novel or interesting about the movement construction, except for the skeletonisation with the parts suspended by the lattice. As for finishing, the photos below tell the story, though it has to be said the watch pictured is a prototype. And unlike the RM009 Felipe Massa, the RM035 feels a bit plasticky, although the case is actually a ceramic-coated aluminium alloy. But, and this is a big “but”, the RM035 is a really, really cool watch, just because it is ridiculously and unexpectedly lightweight, and also because it’s ridiculously and expectedly expensive. It’s embarrassing to admit but true. Especially for someone who has everything – think gold Pateks and steel Rolexes as well as lots of disposable income – the RM035 is remarkably attractive. The rest of the close-up photos are below. – SJX